Laser cell

ABSTRACT

A fluid-filled amplifier cell for laser generation comprises an elongated housing wherein at least one end contains, within the cell, a window supported at the Brewster angle and wherein such end is plugged with a mirror.

United States Patent Zavodny [is] 3,656fl67 [451 Apr. H, W'

[54] LASER CELL 3,568,088 3/1971 Dem ..331/94.5

- 3,569,859 3/1971 Whitney ..33l/94.5

v FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,922,285 2/1970 Germany ..33l/94.5 Primary Examin ef -william L. Sikes Attorney-Joseph C. Kotarski, Henry H. l-luth, Robert B. Coleman, Jr., William A. Mikesell, Jr. and Carroll Palmer [57] ABSTRACT A'fluid-filled amplifier cell forlaser generation comprises an elongated housing wherein at least one end contains, within the cell, a window supported at the Brewster angle and wherein snch end is plugged with a mirror.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 11 1912 3,656,067

PRIOR ART INVENTOR. ALFRED 7: ZAVODNY A T TORNE Y LASER CELL This invention relates to a fluid laser generation cell. In one the cell is more aspect, the invention relates to a laser generation cell for.

Brewster angle, the output of this cell is linearly polarized, but expensive to build than that-of FIG. 1.

According to the invention, 1 have discovered that a cell having alinearly polarized output can be built more simply by incorporating Brewster windows vn'thin the cell of the type of FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 3. Here, the cell of FIG. 1 is modified Laser generation cells currently available fall generally into two classes, viz a relatively inexpensive cell having mirrored end closures which does not produce a linearly polarized output, and a relatively expensive cell having window end closures, set at the Brewster angle, in conjunction with external mirrors to obtain laser action; the latter type cell is more versatile and useful because of its linearly polarized output but, as noted, is substantially more expensive.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive fluid laser generator cell capable of producing a linearly polarized output.

Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention will become apparent upon study of this disclosure, the appended claims, and the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one type of cell of the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second type of cell of the prior art;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cell according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings,'and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is illustrated a cell of the prior art which is of simple construction and accordingly is relatively inexpensive. Such a cell comprises an elongated body tube having offset portions 11 for positioning of electrodes 12, which provide means for the input of energy to the cell,'as is known in the art. Tube 10 is made fluid-tight by end closures 13 which are made reflecting at their inner faces 14. The only optical criticallity of such a cell is the parallel alignment of faces 14. This cell, however, generates an output which is not linearly polarized, and should by inserting within tube 10 a window 15' which is oriented at the Brewster angle, but which does not additionally serve as a closure for tube 10. Thus, window 15 need only be easily and inexpensively beveled so as to slide within tube 10; closeness of fit is not critical, sincewindow 15' does not serve as a closure. Further, the window does not need to be rotated to any particular position about the longitudinal axis of the tube unless two windows are used. There is no theoretical power loss caused by polarization in this device, and the mirror surfaces are sealed from environmental deterioration while being shielded from the electrical current. The embodiment of FIG.

' 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3, with the addition of a stop 16,

which can comprise simply a larger bore diameter in the end portion of tube 10. In this embodiment, beveled window 15' is held in position against stop 16 by end closure 13, which is again provided with a reflective inner face l4.

e various materials of construction of the cell, the working fluid within the cell, and the method of excitation of the cell are all within the skill of the art, and do not form a part of the present invention.

' It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature it be desired to polarize such output, it-must be directed.

through some polarization device where it will lose theoretically at least 50 percent of its power and, as a practical matter, more. This type cell has the additional disadvantage of mirror deterioration because of electrical currents.

The prior-art cell of F IG, 2 is of the type more expensive to manufacture, and comprises a tube 10, portions 11, and electrodes 12 similar to those of FIG. 1. In this .cell, the ends of tube 10 are closed by windows 15 which are set at the Brewster angle (that angle whose tangent equals the index of refraction of the material of which window 15 is made) with respect to the longitudinal axis of tube 10. Further, where two windows are used as shown, they must be .oriented properly about the longitudinal axis of the tube with respect to each other. Laser action is provided by mirrored faces 14 on substrates 16. Because of the windows 16 being set at the of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid-filled laser generator cell:

a. an elongated hollow body having first and second ends;

b. means for imparting energy to a fluid to be contained within said body; I

c. window means within said body at a position intermediate said ends, said window means being oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body at an angle about equal to its Brewster angle; and

d. closure means at at least one of said ends in association with means for reflecting oriented about perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis. a I

2. The device of claim I wherein said body is substantially cylindrical and said window means comprises a translucent disc having opposed substantially planar parallel faces and having an edge beveled to substantially conform with the interior surface of said body.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said interior surface of said body is further provided with stop means for engaging said edge at about the location thereon most remote from said closure means.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference Ne. 98,220 i LASER CELL, final udgment 1974, as to claims 1, 2 and 3.

nvolving Patent No. 3,656,067, A. T. Zavodny, adverse to the patentee was rendered. Apr. 22,

[Oficz'al Gazette Augz wt 13, 1 974.] 

1. In a fluid-filled laser generator cell: a. an elongated hollow body having first and second ends; b. means for imparting energy to a fluid to be contained within said body; c. window means within said body at a position intermediate said ends, said window means being oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body at an angle about equal to its Brewster angle; and d. closure means at at least one of said ends in association with means for reflecting oriented about perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said body is substantially cylindrical and said window means comprises a translucent disc having opposed substantially planar parallel faces and having an edge beveled to substantially conform with the interior surface of said body.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said interior surface of said body is further provided with stop means for engaging said edge at about the location thereon most remote from said closure means. 